Adjustable v-cushion assembly for alleviating sitting discomfort

ABSTRACT

A V-shaped cushion assembly has two cushions that are connected to each other by a connector so as to form a V-shape. The cushions are pivotable relative to each other at the connector, so that an angle of the V-shape between the cushions can be selectively adjusted. By adjusting this angle and the placement of the V-shaped cushion assembly on a seating surface, the V-shaped cushion assembly provides a wide variety of user-configurable options in order to allow a user to select the configuration that is most comfortable to the user.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of provisional application61/400,078, filed on Jul. 22, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally concerns cushions of the type that arespecifically configured to alleviate discomfort in sitting, and inparticular seat cushions used for the prevention, protection oralleviation either of pain, pressure or discomfort to the pelvic floor,perineum, coccyx and rectal region of the human body caused by sitting.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Although symptoms of the above type may be centralized in the lowerbody, secondary sites in the upper body or extremities may be affected,with pain radiating from the original site of pain or discomfort.

Developmentally, humans learn to sit upright at the age of approximatelyfive months. Humans progressively gain motor control and core strength,enabling an upright position to be maintained while sitting on thebody's weight bearing surfaces, the ischial tuberosities and greatertrochanters.

There is a well-documented need for seat cushions that perform at leastone of the following functions. There is a need to pad or protect theuser from pain or discomfort caused by either short or long periods ofsitting on an un-padded, or insufficiently padded, surface. There isalso a need to pad or protect the user from exacerbating pain ordiscomfort from an existing pathology or injury, such as childbirth,traumatic injury, surgery, etc.

There is furthermore a need to lift the user off of the surface of aseat by redistributing weight and allowing the suspension of affectedbody parts above the seat.

There is also a need to create an ergonomically correct seated positionand posture for the user.

A number of products are known that have attempted to address theseneeds for protection or alignment correction.

Among these is the well known “donut” foam seat cushion, which iscylindrical with a hollow core for pressure relief, so named because itis in the shape of a donut with a hole in the middle. The donut foamcushion is large and is made of relatively dense material. The donutcushion, as one of few options that are available to users, has notreceived complete acceptance, due to its cumbersome size, theobviousness of its use (some users would prefer a cushion that is not sonoticeable when in use), and issues with comfort. Examples of suchcushions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,785 and 5,046,205 and5,288,132.

While the donut cushion does promote pressure relief due to the hollowcore, it may cause a pressure build-up as a result of the user's weightdisplacement into the center of the circle. The vascular supply to theperineum may be altered secondary to the increase in pressure around thering from the user's weight being subject to natural gravitationalforces, so as to displace the tissue down into the central opening.

A U-shaped cushion with a thermal transfer unit is described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,344,196.

Another commercially available product is the so-called “Tush Cush,”described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,425 which is a padded seat cushion inthe shape of a square, having a small central opening in order todecrease pressure on the coccyx. The cushion itself is not adjustable,and the limited size of the opening may decrease pressure only for userswho fall within a relatively limited range of weights and body types.Moreover, this cushion is large and bulky, and does not address pressurerelief in the perineum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat cushion thataddresses the above issues in a unique and more effective manner thancurrently available cushions.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by acushion adapted for human sitting, that is formed by two padded membersor “wings” that are joined together at one end of each wing, so as toform a V-shape. The wings are joined together by a connection thatallows the internal angle of the V-shape to be selectively adjusted. Forstorage or portability, the wings can be brought to a closed positiondirectly adjacent to each other, wherein the angle is essentially 0degrees.

The V-cushion assembly is small, portable, lightweight and can bediscretely used, making it ideal for use in the workplace, at sportingevents, and concerts. The V-cushion assembly may also be beneficial foruse while driving, or in any application where long periods of sitting,especially on a hard surface, are required.

Compared to existing products, the V-cushion assembly exhibits superiorportability and a discreet size and shape, thereby making the V-cushionassembly much more amenable to frequent use in all types ofenvironments. Because the V-cushion assembly is not cumbersome and iseasily portable and can be discreetly used, users are more likely tomake use of the V-cushion assembly in environments where the user maypreviously have had a reluctance to use currently available products.

In general, the V-cushion assembly provides relief and prevention ofdiscomfort and pain experienced by persons seeking relief from suchissues related to sitting. The V-cushion assembly offers an alternativeto costly or insufficient products available to persons who have a rangeand variety of issues with unsatisfactory existing products. TheV-cushion assembly is portable and concealable when in use, and thusoffers a discrete solution to the use of such a cushion in public. TheV-cushion assembly is easily adjustable by the user to ensure a propersitting position that reduces that particular user's pressure,discomfort and/or pain. The V-cushion assembly offers relief to personswho are required to sit for long periods of time, whether in a work orrecreational environment, or who have a medical need for such relief.The wings of the V-cushion assembly can be made available in variousheights, widths and lengths so as to provide a range of models that suitall body types and sizes. Even with the use of a “standard” model of theV-cushion assembly, having dimensions designed to accommodate the“average” person, the versatility and adjustability of the V-cushionassembly allows the user a significant degree of customization toconfigure the V-cushion assembly to provide each person with the mostcomfortable configuration that simultaneously maximizes relief andminimizes the introduction of new, or exacerbation of existing, pain ordiscomfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the V-cushion assembly in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the V-cushion assembly according to theinvention with different configurations of the wings.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the V-cushion assembly according to theinvention, placed on the seat of a common chair.

FIG. 5 shows the V-cushion assembly in accordance with the inventionplaced on a flat surface while lying flat, and while being folded tostack the wings, and in a completely folded position.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the V-cushion assembly inaccordance with the present invention having rigid angle straps.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the V-cushion assembly according tothe present invention placed on the seat of a common chair, making useof both rigid angle straps and pliable security straps.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the construction of a wing member of theV-cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a detail and application of the rigid angle strap.

FIG. 10 shows a detail and application of the pliable security strap.

FIG. 11 is a side view, showing a preferred use of the V-cushionassembly in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a V-cushion assembly in accordance with theinvention. The V-cushion assembly has two wings W1 and W2, that arejoined together at a connecting point CP, at which a connector C ispresent. The connector C not only holds the wings W1 and W2 together toform a V-shape, but also functions as a hinge to allow the angle betweenthe wings W1 and W2 to be selectively adjusted.

As explained in more detail below, the V-cushion assembly shown in FIG.1 is intended to be placed on a seat surface, on which a human user willbe seated. FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the V-cushion assembly, i.e.,the portion of the V-cushion assembly that will be adjacent to theseating surface when the V-cushion assembly is in use. As shown in theembodiment of FIG. 2, the wings W1 and W2 can optionally be providedwith respective non-slip regions NSP1 and NSP2. The non-slip regionsNSP1 and NSP2 provide sufficient frictional engagement with the seatingsurface to prevent slippage or shifting of the V-cushion assembly whenin use on such a seating surface.

FIG. 3 shows how the V-cushion assembly can be selectively configured toprovide different angles θ between the wings W1 and W2. The left portionof FIG. 3 shows the wings W1 and W2 in a relatively wide openconfiguration, whereas the center portion of FIG. 3 shows the wings W1and W2 in a still open, but more closed configuration, and the rightportion of FIG. 3 shows the V-cushion assembly in a closed position,with the wings W1 and W2 being directly adjacent to each other. Theright portion in FIG. 3 may be used, for example, for carrying theV-cushion assembly in a compact form.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing how the V-cushion assembly can be placed onthe seat of a common chair. The V-cushion assembly can be placed withthe V-shape being open toward the back of the chair, as illustrated inthe left portion of FIG. 4, or with the V-shape being open toward thefront of the chair, as shown in the right portion of FIG. 4. Dependingon the preferences and comfort of the user, either orientation may beappropriate.

FIG. 5 shows how the connector allows further folding of the wings W1and W2 of the V-cushion assembly, in addition to the above-describedadjustability of the angle of the V-shape. As shown in the leftillustration in FIG. 5, the wings W1 and W2 can lie completely flat,when in the closed position described above in connection with the rightillustration in FIG. 3. As shown in the center illustration in FIG. 5,the wings W1 and W2 can be folded out of the plane shown in the leftillustration, into a completely folded configuration as shown in theright illustration in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows different top views of an embodiment of the V-cushionassembly placed on a seat of a common chair, in the orientationsdescribed above in connection with FIG. 4. The two left illustrations inFIG. 6 show an embodiment of the V-cushion assembly having a rigid anglestrap AS, which is sufficiently rigid to maintain the selected angle ofthe V-cushion assembly that is made by the user, once the user hasappropriately configured the wings W1 and W2. The angle strap AS can beaffixed in any appropriate manner to the wings W1 and W2 to maintainthem at the selected angle.

The two right illustrations in FIG. 6 show the combination of an anglestrap and the further option of security straps SS The security strapsSS secure the V-cushion assembly to the seat of the chair, and areattached to the exterior sides of the wings W1 and W2. The securitystraps SS can proceed beneath the seating surface, and be connectedtogether in any suitable manner, such as by a buckle, snaps, or ahook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, a continuous security strap, thatdoes not require a connector, can be used, that is sufficiently elasticto hold the V-cushion assembly in place on the seat.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment in the left illustrations, using boththe angle strap AS and the security straps SS. In this embodiment, thesecurity straps proceed between the front and rear of the seatingsurface, as opposed to proceeding around the sides of the seatingsurface as in the embodiment of FIG. 6. An embodiment showing the use ofonly the security straps SS, without the angle strap AS, is shown inFIG. 7, wherein the security straps SS again proceed between the frontand rear of the seating surface.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of one of the wings, in a top view, a side view,and a perspective view.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the embodiment of the V-cushionassembly with the angle strap AS in a top view and a bottom view. Thisembodiment also includes the non-slip regions described above. As can beseen, the angle strip AS can be attached at the bottom of the wings ofthe V-cushion assembly, so as not to be noticeable by a user seated onthe V-cushion assembly.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a top view and a bottom view of theV-cushion assembly in the embodiment employing the security straps SS,in place on a chair. As can be seen in the bottom view at the right ofFIG. 10, the security strap SS proceeds between the legs of the chair inan appropriate manner.

Each wing can be constructed of a flat soft core, having a width in arange between approximately 2 and 8 inches, a length and a range betweenapproximately 8 and 16 inches and a thickness in a range betweenapproximately 0.125 and 2.225 inches. The wings can be provided indifferent models with different dimensions and different combinations ofdimensions, so as to provide a range of V-cushions that accommodate alldifferent body sizes and weights. The core material of each wing may befoam, gel, batting, or any suitable material that provides a sufficientand desirable degree of padding, protection and separation from theseating surface. The material may be flexible foam rubber, cut fromsheets or poured in a suitable mold. Moreover, each wing may be formedas a multi-layer combination with any number of the aforementionedmaterials. Each wing is covered by a durable, washable, water resistantprotective cover, which may be removed for cleaning, decorativeenhancement or replacement. The cover may be held in place on the corematerial simply by a custom-fit, with the covering being provided with aslip or other type of opening therein in order to insert and remove thecore material. Alternatively, the cover may be provided with a zipper,snaps, or other releasable closure at a location that does not come intocontact, and thus cause discomfort to, a user of the V-cushion assembly.Another alternative is a vinyl cover.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the V-cushion assembly in place on achair, with a user seated on the V-cushion assembly on the chair.

Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled inthe art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within thepatent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.

1. A cushion assembly for human seating, comprising: a first cushionassembly having a first cushion assembly corner; a second cushionassembly having a second cushion assembly corner; and a connectorjoining said first and second cushions respectively at said first andsecond cushion assembly corners to form a V-shape with an angle betweensaid first cushion assembly and said second cushion assembly, saidconnector forming a hinge allowing pivoting of said first and secondcushions relative to each other to selectively adjust said angle betweensaid first and second cushions.
 2. A cushion assembly as claimed inclaim 1 wherein each of said first and second cushions has a cushionassembly surface adapted to rest on a seating surface, and wherein atleast one of said cushions, at said cushion assembly surface, has aportion thereof comprised of non-slip material that prevents slippage ofsaid at least one of said cushions with respect to said seating surface.3. A cushion assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connectorpermits pivoting of said cushions relative to each other to a positionwherein said cushions are adjacent to each other, with said angle beingsubstantially zero.
 4. A cushion assembly as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid V-shape defines a plane, and wherein said connector also permitspivoting of said cushions relative to each other out of said plane.
 5. Acushion assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said connector permitssaid cushions to be folded one-on-top of another.
 6. A cushion assemblyas claimed in claim 1 comprising a rigid angle strap connectable betweensaid cushions to maintain an angle, once said angle is selected, betweensaid cushions.
 7. A cushion assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising atleast one security strap connected to at least one of said cushions, andconfigured to proceed around a seating surface on which said cushionsare located.
 8. A cushion assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein saidseating surface has two sides with a front and a back there between, andwherein said at least one strap is configured to proceed around saidseating surface between said front and said back.
 9. A cushion assemblyas claimed in claim 7 wherein said seating surface has two sides with afront and a back there between, and wherein said at least one strap isconfigured to proceed around said seating surface between said twosides.
 10. A cushion assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of saidcushions comprises material selected from the group consisting of foammaterial, foam rubber gel material and batting material.
 11. A cushionassembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said cushions has a widthin a range between approximately 2 and 8 inches, a length in a rangebetween approximately 8 and 16 inches, and a thickness in a rangebetween 0.125 and 2.25 inches.
 12. A method for alleviating humandiscomfort during sitting, comprising the steps of: placing a V-shapedcushion assembly on a seating surface on which a human is to be seated,said V-shaped cushion assembly comprising two cushions pivotablyconnected to each other to form a V-shape with an angle between saidcushions; selectively positioning said V-shaped cushion assembly on saidseating surface in a position selected from the group consisting of saidV-shape facing toward a front of said seating surface, and said V-shapefacing toward a rear of said seating surface; and pivoting said cushionsrelative to each other to select a size of said angle between saidcushions.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising preventingslippage of said cushions on said seating surface by providing a surfaceof at least one of said cushions that faces said seating surface with anon-slip region.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising, afterselecting said angle, fixing and maintaining said angle between saidcushions by applying a rigid angle strap between said cushions.
 15. Amethod as claimed in claim 12 comprising holding said V-cushion assemblyin place on said seating surface by encircling said seating surface witha strap that is connected to said V-shape cushion assembly.